Expression of Interest: Executive Director, Finance

Location: Remote/Flexible, with travel as required
Contract Type: 2 years, subject to programme award (or Associate engagement)
Salary: £95,000-£110,000 FTE or up to £900 per day (Associate basis)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full-time equivalent)
Status: Expression of Interest

A Senior Opportunity to Lead Financial Stewardship

Etio is developing plans for a significant national programme and is seeking expressions of interest from experienced senior finance leaders.

Subject to programme award, this programme will manage substantial public funding across national operations, regional delivery, partner work packages, commissioned services and funding distributed to third parties.

The Executive Director, Finance will provide executive leadership across financial stewardship, accounting, financial planning and analysis, public funds assurance, commercial governance and financial risk management.

This role is not solely focused on corporate reporting and financial control. The successful candidate will work closely with operational leaders to ensure financial governance supports effective delivery, enabling informed decision-making while maintaining robust oversight, transparency and value for money.

This is an opportunity for a strategic finance leader to shape the financial foundations of a complex national programme and ensure public funds are managed with the highest standards of accountability and integrity.

You Will

• Provide executive leadership across programme finance, accounting and public funds assurance.
• Establish a robust financial control framework covering approvals, delegated authorities, segregation of duties, reconciliations, payments and audit trails.
• Develop and maintain the programme's financial strategy, budgets, forecasts, cash flow projections and medium-term financial plans.
• Provide assurance regarding regularity, propriety, value for money, affordability and financial sustainability.
• Deliver financial insight and analysis to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Oversee the correct accounting treatment of income, expenditure, grants, partner funding, supplier payments, provisions and contingent liabilities.
• Identify and manage financial and commercial risks across the programme.
• Lead arrangements for fraud risk assessment, counter-fraud controls, investigation support and financial recovery activities where required.
• Work closely with senior leaders, delivery teams, commissioners and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with contractual, financial, governance and audit requirements.
• Provide clear financial reporting, assurance and recommendations to governance bodies and senior leadership.
• Lead financial mobilisation activities, including systems, controls, policies, reporting frameworks and team capability development.
• Support commercial, procurement and investment decisions, ensuring strong financial governance throughout.

What You'll Bring

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) with current membership and significant post-qualification experience.
• Substantial executive or senior finance leadership experience within a complex organisation, programme or operational environment.
• Experience managing large and complex budgets, ideally including public sector, grant-funded or government-funded programmes.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, governance, assurance and compliance frameworks.
• Experience supporting procurement activity, commercial decision-making and financial due diligence.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate financial information into practical operational recommendations.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial matters to non-finance audiences.
• Experience advising executive teams, boards and governance bodies.
• Strong understanding of financial stewardship, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence across multiple functions and stakeholder groups.

Who We Are

• Etio is a mission-driven organisation providing expertise to improve education systems and outcomes.

• We work in partnership with the Department for Education and sector leaders to deliver high-quality national programmes that raise standards and strengthen the profession.

Benefits

We know our people are our greatest strength. That's why we offer a flexible, supportive culture and benefits that help you do your best work while supporting your wellbeing.

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (with the option to buy more)
• Flexible working culture
• Private Medical Insurance & Healthcare Cash Plan
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Work from Anywhere globally (up to 8 weeks per year)
• Paid volunteer day
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
• 3% employer pension contribution

Accessibility and Adjustments

We're committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you need adjustments during the application or selection process, please let us know. We're happy to support you.

We welcome expressions of interest from individuals interested in either a substantive leadership role or an Associate engagement.